Printing machine



INav. 3, 1942. M; s, GUDGER 2,301,039

PRINTING MAGHINE f y Filed June 2s, 1'941 2 snails-sheet 2 ["0 kg mmINVENTOR /Vlarrls S Gudger:

w I ATTO NEY Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTINGMACHINE Morris S. Gudger, New York, N. Y., assigner to It. Hoe & Co.,Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 15 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines and more particularly toimprovements in mechanism for rotating the fountain rollers of suchmachines.

, Printing plates carried by the plate cylinders of printing machinesare commonly supplied with ink, and in the case of lithographiemachines, with moistening fluid also, from suitably located fountainsthrough the instrumentality of. fountain rollers rotating in fountainsfrom which they pick up the ink or moisture. From these fountain rollersthe ink is transferred by ductor rollers to a plurality of cooperatingink or moisture distributing rollers arranged in series, the last ofwhich are in contact with the printing plates, to which the ink ormoisture is supplied.

` The ink and moisture distributing rollers commonly rotate at the samesurface speed` as the printing cylinders. Some of them are driven by thecylinder driving means, while others are driven by contact with .thedriving rollers and with the printing plates on the cylinders. The

fountain rollers, however, are usually rotated at a relatively slowspeed, and the ductor roller,

which transfers the ink from the fountain roller to the first ink rollermust rotate at a slow speed when it is in contact with the fountainroller, and at a high speed when it is in contact with the first inkroller.` When the ductor roller is moved away from the ink roller,`which is rotating at high speed, it has considerable momentum,

and when it is moved into contact with the slowly moving fountainroller, it tends to move the latter at a much higher speed, whichseriously interferes with the regulation of the ink supply bytransferring a greater amount of ink to the ductor roller than isdesired;` i

An object of the present invention is to provide means to prevent theoverrunningof a fountain roller, and a driving mechanism for thefountain roller that will operate it at any desired speed within adesired range, and will maintain the speed substantially constant.

when such speed reduction is effected, will `be automatically released.v

It is also an object of this invention to pro vide a fountain rollerdriving and speed control mechanism of generally improved construction,whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive inconstruction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable andefficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and`arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that various changes in theprecise embodiment of the invention herein dis`A closed may be madewithin the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic side View of a printing machine of a typewith which mechanism having the features and principles of thisinvention, may be advantageously associated;

Figure 2 is an enlarged broken side View of a' portion of the printingmachine shown in Figure l and showing the novel and improved fountainroller driving and speed control mechanism `of this invention applied tothe moisture fountain,

' roller;

Figure 3 is a horizontal View partly broken away, with certain portionsin section as seen on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and i Figure 4 is anenlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the mechanism, takenmainly on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicatelike parts through-,-` out the several views, and` especially to Figuresl and 2, the reference numeral I I denotes a sheet, passing between ablanket cylinder I2 and an im' pression cylinder I3 of a rotary offsetlithographic printing machine, to have impressions printed thereon. Theblanket cylinder I2 receives impressions from a printing plate carriedby a plate cylinder It and which has been moistened and inked intheusual manner.

Ink is supplied from an ink fountain I5 through the instrumentality of afountain roller I1, which `is rotated therein, and a ductor roller I9transfers the ink from the ink roller I1 to an ink distributing cylinder26, from which it is transferred by a second ductor roller 2| to an inkdistributing cylinder 21, which forms the first element of an inkingsystem including rollers 23 and 24, rollers 23 being in contact with theprinting plate and known as form rollers. Similarly, moisture issupplied from a moisture fountain I6 having a fountain roller I8 rotatedtherein, and a ductor roller 22 transfers the moistening fluid from thefountain roller I8 to a moisture distributing cylinder 28, which inturn, transfers the uid to rollers 25 that are in contact with theprinting plate.

The ductor rollers I6 and 22 are arranged to rock upon shafts 29 and 3lrespectively to al-V ternately engage the respective ink and moisturefountain rollers I1 and I8 and the respective ink and moisture cylinders26 and 28. When in engagement with the ink and moisture cylinders 26 and28 the ductor rollers I9 and 22 are given a rotative movement equal tothat of these cylinders, which movement is faster than that at which thefountain rollers I1 and I6 are rotated. When the ductor rollers,rotating at this faster speed engage the fountain rollers, there is atendency for the speed of the latter to be increased, which ashereinbefore explained, is objectionable.

To avoid this undesirable action, the ink and moisture fountain rollersI1 and I8 are preferably arranged to be rotated at a substantiallyconstant predetermined speed. As the same or similar driving and speedcontrol mechanism is contemplated for the ink fountain roll-er I1 as isemployed for the moisture fountain roller I6, the mechanism operablyassociated with the moisture fountain roller I8 has been selected fordescriptive purposes and is shown in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

As herein disclosed, means is provided to separately rotate eachfountain roller at a constant and uniform predetermined speed, andincludes electric motor 32 (Figure 3) preferably of fractionalhorsepower, which is connected through a known small variable speedmechanism enclosed within aV casing 33, to a known form of speedreducing gear device, Within a casing 34. The variable Speed mechanismis adjustable by means of a handwheel 35, projecting from the casing 34.An output shaft 36 of the speed reducing gear carries an externallyscrew threaded sleeve 31, which as herein shown, has triple threads 38.This sleeve is secured to the shaft end 36 by a key 3!)y (Figure 4), awasher 4I, a lock washer 42, and a screw 43. The threaded sleeve 31 isengaged by an internally and correspondingly threaded nut 44 formedintegral with (or otherwise suitably secured to) one end of a shortshaft 45 that is journaled in a ball bearing 46 in a side frame member41 of the printing machine.

The other end of the short shaft 45 as herein shown has one member 49 ofa sprocket type flexible coupling secured thereto by a key I and an endplate 52 secured to the shaft end by a screw 53. A similar couplingmember 54 is secured to one end of the fountain roller shaft 55 by a key56 and an end plate 51 secured to the shaft end by a screw 56. The twocoupling members 49 and 54 are flexibly connected by the links of achain 59. The coupling end of the fountain roller shaft 55 is journaledin a ball bearing 6I supported in a bracket 62 secured to the machineside frame member 41 by screws 63. The other end of the fountain rollershaft 55 is journaled in the other machine side frame mem-v ber 48(Figure 3).

As best shown in Figure 4, a brake disc 64 is secured to the short shaft45 by a key 65 in position to have an axially projecting annular rim 66formed thereon, normally revolve freely and outl of engagement with abrake plate 61 secured to the frame member 41 by screws 68, when themotor 32 is rotating the fountain roller I8 at the desired speed. Duringsuch operation the cooperating threads 38 of the sleeve 31 and of thenut 44 constantly act to maintain the annular brake rim 66 out ofbraking engagement with the brake plate 61 and also form a drivingconnection between the motor 32 and the fountain roller I8.

Should the fountain roller be given an impetus when engaged by theductor roller and its speed be increased, the nut 44 will ride along thethreads 38 on the threaded sleeve 31 and draw the brake disc rim 66against the brake plate 61, as shown in Figure 3. This braking actionwill immediately reduce the speed of the roller I8 to its normal speedas driven by the motor 32. When the tendency of the fountain roller tooverrun has been checked and it is being driven by the motor, the nut 44is automatically moved axially to release the rim 66 out of brakingengagement with the plate 61. Provision is made in the mounting of theball bearing 46 and in the coupling chain 59, to permit the small axialmovement required to apply and release the brake member 64.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specicforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller, means forcontinuously rotating the fountain roller, a brake for the fountainroller, and means to apply the brake if the fountain roller tends torotate faster than it is being driven by the rotating means.`

2. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller, means forcontinuously rotating the fountain roller, a brake for the fountainroller, means to apply the brake if the fountain roller tends to rotatefaster than it is being driven by the roller rotating means, and beingoperable by the roller rotating means to release the brake.

.3. In a printing machine, a fountain roller, a fountain, a drivenshaft, means connecting the driven shaft to the roller to drive it,including a rst means rotatable with the shaft and cooperating with asecond means rotatable with the roller, said first and second meansbeing relatively rotatable, brake means rotatable with the roller andadapted to cooperate with a stationary part to apply a braking action tothe roller when the first and second means rotate relatively to eachother in one direction.

4. In a printing machine, a fountain, a rotatable fountain roller, adriven shaft, an axially movable brake member rotatable with the rollerand adapted to engage a cooperating brake member, and cooperating meansto drivingly connect the roller to the driven shaft and to axially movethe brake member to apply a braking action on the roller when the rollerspeed exceeds that of the driven shaft.

5. In a printing machine, a fountain, a roller arranged to rotate in thefountain, a driven shaft, a brake member rotatable with the roller andadapted for axial movement into engagement with a stationary brake partand relatively rotatablc means drivingly connecting the driven shaft andthe roller and adapted to maintain the brake member separated from thebrake part when the shaft is driving the roller and to axially move thebrake member to engage the brake part when the roller rotates fasterthan the driven shaft.

6. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller having a shaft,a kdriven shaft, a iirst brake member rotatable with one of the shaftsand adapted for axial movement into engagement with a second brakemember, and cooperating relatively rotatable means drivingly connectingthe shafts and adapted to maintain the brake members separated when theshafts are rotating at substantially the same speed and to axially movethe first brake member into engagement With the second one when theshaft with which the rst brake member rotates is rotating faster thanthe other shaft.

7. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller having a shaft,a driven shaft, a first brake member adapted for axial movement andbeing operably associated with one of the shafts to effect a brakingaction thereon when axially moved into engagement with a second brakemember, and cooperating relatively rotatable means drivingly connectingthe shafts and adapted to maintain the brake member out of brakingengagement when the shafts are rotating at subM stantially the samespeed and to axially move the first brake member into engagement withthe second brake member when one shaft rotates faster than the other.

8. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller, means forrotating the fountain roller, a brake for the roller including anaxially movable part, and means to axially move the brake part to applythe brake when the roller tends to rotate faster than it is normallydriven by the rotating means.

9. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller, means forrotating the fountain roller, a brake for the roller including anaxially movable part, means to axially move the brake part in onedirection to apply the brake when the roller tends to rotate faster thanit is normally driven by the rotating means, and being operable by therotating means to axially move the brake part in the opposite directionwhen the speed of the roller is reduced to release the braking action.

10. In a printing machine, a fountain, a fountain roller, means forrotating the fountain roller, a brake for the roller including anaxially movable part, and a threaded sleeve driven by the rollerrotating means in cooperating relation with an interiorly threaded partto axially move the brake part to apply the brake when the roller tendsto rotate faster than it is normally driven by the rotating means.

11. In a printing machine, a fountain roller adapted to rotate in afountain, means to rotate the roller including a driven shaft, theroller having a shaft end extending therefrom, a short shaft betweensaid driven shaft and the roller shaft, a exible coupling connecting theroller shaft to the short shaft and permitting slight axial movement ofthe latter, cooperating relatively rotatable and axially movable membersrespectively carried by the driven shaft and the short shaft todrivingly connect them, a brake for the roller having a part axiallymovable with the short shaft to engage a stationary brake part andadapted to be moved axially to apply the brake when one of thecooperating members rotates relatively to the other.

12. In aprinting machine, a fountain roller adapted to rotate in afountain, means to rotate the roller including a driven shaft, theroller having a shaft end extending therefrom, -a short shaft betweensaid driven shaft and the roller shaft, a flexible coupling connectingthe roller shaft to the short shaft and permitting slight axial movementof the latter, a first brake member on the short shaft :adapted to moveaxially therewith into engagement with a second brake member to impose abraking action on the roller, a screw threaded sleeve on the drivenshaft and a threaded nut on the short shaft, said sleeve and nutcooperating to drivingly connect the short shaft to the driven shaft andto axially move the first brake member into engagement with the secondbrake member when the roller tends to rotate faster than the drivenshaft to apply a braking action thereto.

13. In a printing machine, a fountain having a fountain roller therein,driving means to rotate the fountain roller continuously at apredetermined speed, coupling means interposed between the driving meansand the fountain roller, the said coupling means permitting a limitedamount of lost motion between the driving means and the fountain roller,and braking means associated with the coupling means, the

said braking means being operable to apply a brake if the rolleroverruns the driving means.

14. In a printing machine, a fountain having a fountain roller therein,driving means to rotate the fountain roller continuously at apredetermined speed, coupling means interposed between the driving meansand the fountain roller, the said coupling means permitting a limitedamount of lost motion between the driving means :and the fountainroller, and braking means associated with the coupling means, the saidbraking means being operable to apply a brake if the roller overruns thedriving means and to release the brake when the fountain roller is beingrotated by the driving means. 15. In a printing machine, a rst inkingroller, a second and rotating inking roller adapted to engage the firstroller at intervals, means to continuously rotate the first roller at aconstant predetermined speed, and means operable to apply a brakingaction to the first roller, should its rotating speed increase when itis engaged by the second roller.

16. In a printing machine, a rst inking roller, a second and rotatinginking roller adapted to engage the nrst roller at intervals, means tocontinuously rotate the first roller at a constant predetermined speed,a brake operably connected to the rst roller to act thereon, and meansoperable by an increase in speed of the first roller, due to itsengagement with the rotating second roller, to apply the brake.

MORRIS S. GUDGER.

